Going on Splits!

HAPPY NOVEMBER!!!!!! There is SO MUCH that has been happening. I wish you all could be here and see all the things that are going on, as well as all the lovely, snow-covered mountains. It is beautiful here! The Oquirrh mountains and the Wasatch mountains are both covered in snow. It looks like really tall rocks covered in powdered sugar. Here in the valley, though, it is just starting to get cold. It rained a little yesterday, but I am super excited for snow to be on its way.

One of the highlights from this past week happened on Thursday. There was a lady who we have just started to teach, but we have been trying to figure out what member to have come with us to her lessons. My companion has been really sick with a sinus infection and bronchitis and a nasty cough, so we went on "splits" on Thursday to give her some time to rest. When missionaries go on "splits", one missionary goes with one member of the same gender, and the other missionary goes with another member of the same gender. We dropped off my companion at a member's house where she could rest and try to recuperate. Then I went with a member to teach lessons that we had previously set up. My companion and I had felt prompted to get a hold of a specific member, but we didn't really know why. The lady we are teaching has a husband who used to be in the military, and he has his fatigues laid out on a table right when you open the door. We had both completely forgotten that the member we invited to the lesson has a husband out on active duty right now. As we went in the door of the lady we are teaching, the member with me saw the military uniform. She was had an instant connection with the lady, which opened up a new friendship. As missionaries, we are so thankful for such wonderful members. Something so simple as seeing a uniform opened up a friendship that may not have evolved any other way. It was a miracle that the perfect friend just so happened to be the member we contacted to come to the lesson.

Along with that really cool experience, I had another cool experience that same day. We were still on splits, so my companion was at a member's house resting while I went to our dinner appointment with a member and their family. While the husband was finishing cooking dinner, I helped the mom clean out her vehicle. I really didn't think anything of it, but the next day when my companion and I were walking down her street, she stopped us to tell my companion how much I had helped her. I was surprised, and responded by saying, "but all I really did was sit and talk to you while you cleaned." Sometimes, that is really all that people need: just someone to talk to. It's amazing how such small things can have such a big impact on people. Never again in my life will I have an opportunity like this where I can just serve, work, help, and teach 24 hours a day seven days a week.

As of this past Sunday, I have been out on my mission for 4 months! Time flies!

"Remember, remember the fifth of November." Since this coming Wednesday is the 5th of November, I would like to leave you with a few scriptures that talk about remembering. All three of them are in the book of Mosiah, which is mostly a record of a king, named King Benjamin, who talks to the people in his kingdom about all the things that the prophets have said that will help them live better lives and eventually return to live with God:

Mosiah 4:30
Mosiah 2:41
Mosiah 5:15

I hope these scriptures will help you remember throughout the week how much I love and care about each and every one of you. Have an awesome first week of November!